Folding stool



Oct. 16, 1962 J. v. ROSS] ETAL FOLDING STOOL Filed July 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 JQSfP/f 1 190-567 J Alf 1P0) wzaM/aw Oct. 16, 1962 J. v. ROSSI ETAL 3,058,544

FOLDING STOOL Filed July 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J Ma k-1M0.

United States Patent Filed July 5, 1961, Ser. No. 121,856 4 (Ilaiins. (Cl. 182-129) The invention has particular value in a folding stool of the step type having two steps arranged at different levels and wherein an upper step can be used as a seat while the lower step may be used as a foot-rest as well as performing its usual function as a stair step for reachmg the top step when using the device as a stepladder.

The main reason for folding a stool such as is set forth herein, is to enable the stool to be condensed for storage purposes so that it will occupy minimum space when stored. Accordingly, in a folding stool of the type herein set forth, the stool is not required to function as a seat when it is folded.

An object of the invention is to provide a folding stool of the character described which can be condensed into relatively small compass or package so that it may be stored in a relatively small space occupying a minimum of floor area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure which when unfolded has a step or platform at an upper level which may be used for sitting upon or standing upon, while at the same time a lower level step or platform is provided for facilitating access to the upper level, or for serving as a foot-rest when the upper level step or platform is serving as a seat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the type described which may include a backrest for use when the unfolded stool is used as a seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure which may be readily folded or unfolded in a relatively simple manner without requiring any complicated or diflicult manipulations when converted from folded to unfolded condition, or vice versa.

Finally, it is the object of the invention to provide a structure which is inherently attractive in appearance, of simple design, and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as rugged and efficient and durable in service.

The foregoing, and other objects may be obtained by an embodiment of the invention which is disclosed in the following description accompanied by the claims and drawings hereto attached, in which drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a two-level folding stool of the character described in unfolded or usefully operative condition;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the unfolded stool as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation of the stool as shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the structure as shown in FIGURE 2 but in a position intermediate between the unfolded and the folded condition;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the parts at approximately the conclusion of the folding operation;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional plan taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional plan taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is a rear elevation of the folded structure shown in FIGURE 5.

In the drawings, the upper step or platform 11 is located at seat height and the lower level step or platform 12 is located approximately half-way between the upper platform 11 and the level of the floor. These steps 11 and 12 are supported by a base frame which includes a 3,58,544 Patented 0st. 16, 1962 pair of side frames 16 and 17 which are spaced apart to accommodate and support the steps or platforms 11 and 12.

Each of said frames in the present instance includes a forward bar or leg member 13 and a rear leg 14, said legs 13 and 14 being pivoted together where they intersect each other by means of an axially horizontal pivot 15 so that the legs may be moved from the operative position as shown in FIGURE 2, to the folded position shown in FIGURE 5. Said frames 16 and 17 are rigidly connected together by integral cross pieces 18 and 19. The cross piece 18 which also serves as a back-rest, connects the upwardly and rearwardly extending extensions of the front legs 13 on the respective frames. The cross piece 19 (see FIGURE 6 and FIGURE 8) connects the forward-1y and upwardly extending portions of the legs 14.

Describing now the lower step 12 arrangement, it will be seen that in the present instance we have shown the said step 12 as being made from a fiat metal sheet having a depressed center area which may receive a cushioning cover of a suitable soft flexible fabric, for example, rubber. The outer edge of the plate 12 is bent down to form a flange 2d and towards the rear of the step 12, a pair of slots are formed for accommodating a pair of straps 21, the forward ends of which are secured to the inside face of the flange 20 by means of rivets 22, so that the straps 21 constitute integral rear extensions of the step or platform 12. These extension arms or straps 21 are located between the rear legs 14 of the side frames and are pivoted thereto on a common axially horizontal axis by pins or rivets 23.

The step 12 at its forward end is supported by a pair of side links 24 which in the present instance may be in an approximately vertical position and have their upper ends pivotally connected to the step 12 by means of pivots 25 while their lower ends are connected to the forwardly extending front legs 13 by' suitable pivots 26, so that when a load is applied to the lower step 12 the force is directed downwardly through the hinge pins 23 and 26. In the present instance the pivots 26 preferably are comprised of the ends of a tie-rod 27 extending be tween and rigidly uniting the legs 13 of the respective side frames.

It will be understood that when the structure as shown in FIGURE 2 is folded from the operative position to the folded position shown in FIGURE 5, the front end of the lower step 12 will be rocked or swung automatically downwardly in the direction of the arrow 28 so as to bring the pivotal point 25 into the position shown in dotted lines at 29.

Considering now the upper level platform or seat 11, the basic construction of said seat is similar to that of the lower step 12. However, the upper extensions 13A of the front legs 13 on each of the side frames are directly pivoted, by means of pins 30, to the border flange 31 of the platform 11. The front end of the upper platform 11 is supported by links 32 which in the present instance are inclined and occupy positions more or less parallel to the leg parts 13A. The upper ends of said links 32 are pivotally connected to the flange 31 of the platform 11 by means of pivots 33 and the lower ends of said links 32 are connected to the upper extensions 14A of the rear legs 14 by means of pivots 34.

As so far described, the structure might not be stable if the front feet 35 of the frames should tend to slide forwardly on the floor or if the rear feet 36 should tend to slide rearwardly on the floor. Therefore, means are provided to prevent the leg frames from improper opening up or unfolding beyond the limit of the operative position which is shown in FIGURES l and 2. In the present instance this improper action is prevented by extending the upper parts 14A of the rear legs 14 upwardly to a position which will bring the cross bar 19 within the surrounding flange 31 of the step 11 so as to engage against a pair of stop means 40 which are fixed to the underside of step 11. More particularly, the stop means 40 comprise :a pair of bent straps which are each provided with a generally flat section 42 and a downwardly inclined section 44 adjacent the forward ends. As the stool is unfolded, the cross bar 19 engages the intermediate strap sections 42 and slides forwardly to bear against the inclined end sections 44 which serves as a positioning stop for the legs 14. With the stop means 40, sufficient space is afforded between the bar 19 and the inner surface of the step flange 37 to permit placement of fingers therebetween.

When it is desired to fold the stool from the position in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 5, the operator will usually grasp with one hand the top bar 13 or back-rest of the structure and rock it forwardly on the front feet 35. At the same time, the other hand may be placed under the flange 37 or front of the seat 11. During the initial part of the folding movement, the links 32 will serve as part of a toggle connecting pivots 33 with pivots so that the parts will assume the intermediate position indicated in FIGURE 4 by about the time that the toggle has been straightened out. Thereafter, however, upon continuing the folding movement in the direction of the arrow 38 (see FIGURE 4) the toggle links 32 after reaching the dead center position, will then cause the seat 11 to swing down into the position shown in FIGURE 5. During the latter part of the folding movement, the weight of the lower step 12 will cause the pivots to swing downwardly in the direction of the arrow 39 (see FIGURE 4) thus assisting in the completion of the folding movement.

If found desirable, the stability and strength of the structure may be improved by providing studs 46 fixed on the sides of the lower step 12 in such position that they will engage the front legs 13 as shown in FIGURE 2 when the structure is in the usefully operative or unfolded position.

A patent is solicited for any and all here-in-disclosed patentable subject matter invented by applicants.

We claim:

1. In a folding stool having a folding upper step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable as a seat or a top platform, and a folding lower step which, When the stool is unfolded, is usable either as a foot rest or as a stair step for reaching the upper step, the combination of (a) an upper step,

(b) a lower step which in its operative unfolded condition is positioned below and forwardly of the upper p:

(c) a structure comprising a pair of spaced folding side frames, each of said frames including a set of intersecting oppositely inclined front and rear floor-engaging legs pivoted together on a single horizontal axis which extends through the intersections of the leg-sets of both side frames, the upper part of said legs above said axis serving to support the upper step, and the lower parts of said legs serving as the sole support for the lower step below said axis,

(d) the rear part of said lower step being pivotally connected to the rear legs of said frames on a horizontal axis which is at a level lower than the intersections of said legs and approximately at the level of said lower step, whereby said lower step may swing downwardly on said axis as an incident to the folding of the frames,

(e) a pair of spaced links having upper ends pivotally connected to a forwardly extending portion of said lower step, and lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the forward legs of said frames below said lower step, so that the lower step is supported in operative position when the stool isunfolded,

(1) said upper step being pivotally connected to the structure so as to swing on a horizontal axis above the level of the said intersections, and

(g) means for limiting the unfolding movement of said frames.

2. In a folding stool having a folding upper step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable as a seat or a top platform, and a folding lower step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable either as a foot rest or as a stair step for reaching the upper step, the combination of (a) an upper step,

(b) a lower step which in its operative unfolded condition is positioned below and forwardly of the upper step,

(c) astructure comprising a pair of spaced folding side frames, each of said frames including a set of intersecting oppositely inclined front and rear floor-engaging legs pivoted together on a single horizontal axis which extends through the intersections of the leg-sets of both side frames, the upper part of said legs above said axis serving to support the upper step, and the lower parts of said legs serving as the sole support for the lower step below said axis,

(d) the rear part of said lower step being pivotally connected to the rear legs of said frames on a horizontal axis which is at a level lower than the intersections of said legs and approximately at the level of said lower step, whereby said lower step may swing downwardly on said axis as an incident to the folding of the frames,

(e) a pair of spaced links having upper ends pivotally connected to a forwardly extending portion of said lower step, and lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the forward legs of said frames below said lower step, so that the lower step is supported in operative position when the stool is unfolded,

(f) the rear end of said upper step being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the said front legs respectively on a horizontal axis above the level of the said intersections,

(g) one of said steps being provided with means cooperating with said frames for limiting the unfolding movement of said frames.

3. In a folding stool having a folding upper step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable as a seat or a top platform, and a folding lower step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable either as a foot rest or as a stair step for reaching the upper step, the combination of (a) an upper step,

(b) a lower step which in its operative unfolded condition is positioned below and forwardly of the upper step,

(c) a structure comprising a pair of spaced folding side frames, each of said frames including a set of intersecting oppositely inclined front and rear floor-engaging legs pivoted together on a single horizontal axis which extends through the intersections of the leg-sets of both side frames, the upper part of said legs above said axis serving to support the upper step, and the lower parts of said legs serving as the sole support for the lower step below said axis,

(d) the rear part of said lower step being pivotally connected to the rear legs of said frames on a hori zontal axis which is at a level lower than the intersections of said legs and approximately at the level of said lower step, whereby said lower step may swing downwardly on said axis as an incident to the folding of the frames,

(0) a pair of spaced links having upper ends pivotally connected to a forwardly extending portion of said lower step, and lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the forward legs of said frames below said lower step, so that the lower step is supported in operative position when the stool is unfolded,

(f) the rear end of said upper step. being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the said front legs respectively on a horizontal axis above the level of the said intersections,

(g) one of said steps being provided with means cooperating with said frames for limiting the unfolding movement of said frames.

(h) the stool including means linking said upper step to the upper ends of the rear legs whereby the folding of the frames will serve to swing the upper step forwardly and downwardly as an incident to the folding movement of the frame.

4. In a folding stool having a folding upper step which,

when the stool is unfolded, is usable as a seat or a top platform, and a folding lower step which, when the stool is unfolded, is usable either as a foot rest or as a stair step for reaching the upper step, the combination of (a) an upper step,

(b) a lower step which in its operative unfolded condition is positioned below and forwardly of the upper step,

(c) a structure comprising a pair of spaced folding side frames, each of said frames including a set of intersecting oppositely inclined front and rear floor-engaging legs pivoted together on a single horizontal axis which extends through the intersections of the leg-sets of both side frames, the upper part of said legs above said axis serving to support the upper step, and the lower parts of said legs serving as the sole support for the lower step below said axis,

(d) the rear part of said lower step being pivotally connected to the rear legs of said frames on a horizontal axis which is at a level lower than the intersections of said legs and approximately at the level of said lower step, whereby said lower step may swing on said axis as an incident to the folding of the frames,

(e) a pair of spaced links having upper ends pivotally connected to a forwardly extending portion of said lower step, and lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the forward legs of said frames below said lower step, so that the lower step is supported in operative position when the stool is unfolded,

( f) the rear end of said upper step being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the said front legs respectively on a horizontal axis above the level of the said intersections,

(g) one of said steps being provided with means cooperating with said frames for limiting the unfolding movement of said frames.

(h) the stool including a toggle link connecting said upper step to the upper ends of the rear legs whereby the folding of the frames will serve to rock the upper step initially upwardly and finally downwardly as an incident to the folding movement of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,532,873 Abramson Dec. 5, 1950 2,952,301 Schlaak Sept. 13, 1960 3,011,585 Hamilton Dec. 5, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 849,543 Great Britain Sept. 28, 1960 1,098,245 France Mar. 2, 1955 

